Stubble burning: Punjab to manufacture Bio-CNG from paddy straw

The government is committed to free Punjab from pollution due to stubble burning and every possible effort is afoot for the same, state minister Gurpreet Singh Kangar said. Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) is serious on the issue and is working consistently in this direction, the Minister of Power and Renewable Energy said.

Currently, 20 million tons of paddy straw is produced in the state annually and 20 to 25 per cent of this is being used and the rest is burnt, Kangar said. He said 5-6 tons of biogas, bioCNG or bio-ethanol can be produced from the stubble being burned in the fields.

Seven bio-mass power plants are already underway in the state, but now steps have been taken in the direction of Bio CNG/bio-ethanol from paddy straw, the minister said. The state has entered into an agreement with four big companies and has started work on setting up the plants, he said. Read More